MacDonald does seem to want to test the waters which worries me a bit because he's a player for sure but who knows.

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Ah I see. And yeah it doe such about MacDonald.. since he cant get an ELC. His contract can be very tricky.. Some teams will probably give him a 1-way contract i think and I think we'd only give him a 2-way. And who the heck knows what he wants money wise.

There is no doubt that Butcher has earned a bigger role next season with NJ. In the playoffs he ended up on the first pairing with Vatanen and I like for him to stay there and push Greene down to a lower role.

MacDonald can be given Butcher's old role on the 3rd pairing, playing sheltered even strength minutes and maximum power play minutes. I wouldn't even mind if Lovejoy kept his spot in the lineup to help MacDonald with the transition.

There is no doubt that Butcher has earned a bigger role next season with NJ. In the playoffs he ended up on the first pairing with Vatanen and I like for him to stay there and push Greene down to a lower role.

MacDonald can be given Butcher's old role on the 3rd pairing, playing sheltered even strength minutes and maximum power play minutes. I wouldn't even mind if Lovejoy kept his spot in the lineup to help MacDonald with the transition.

Butcher-Vatanen
Greene-Severson
MacDonald-Lovejoy

Santini to rotate in for Severson and Lovejoy on occasions.

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I didn’t play close enough attention to Butcher as a first pairing guy but judging from the comments here I’m not seeing anyone else suggest Butcher as a Greene replacement. Hopefully you are on to something.

There is no doubt that Butcher has earned a bigger role next season with NJ. In the playoffs he ended up on the first pairing with Vatanen and I like for him to stay there and push Greene down to a lower role.

MacDonald can be given Butcher's old role on the 3rd pairing, playing sheltered even strength minutes and maximum power play minutes. I wouldn't even mind if Lovejoy kept his spot in the lineup to help MacDonald with the transition.

Butcher-Vatanen
Greene-Severson
MacDonald-Lovejoy

Santini to rotate in for Severson and Lovejoy on occasions.

Click to expand...

MacDonald is hardly worth thinking about let alone penciling him into NHL lineups